Bambu Lab's New Authorization System: A Game-Changer or a Setback for 3D Printing Freedom?
Bambu Lab's new authorization system promises enhanced security but limits third-party tools like OrcaSlicer, disrupting workflows and reducing flexibility. Critics question if this is about safety or locking users into Bambu’s ecosystem, sparking backlash from the 3D printing community.
Bambu Lab has announced the rollout of a new authorization and authentication mechanism for its 3D printers, claiming it as a major step toward enhancing product security.
According to the company, this system aims to mitigate risks such as remote hacks, abnormal traffic, and unauthorized access.
Starting with firmware updates released on January 16th (beta) and January 23rd (official), the changes will require user authorization for critical printer operations, including firmware upgrades, remote video access, and print job initiation.However, this move has raised significant concerns within the 3D printing community. Critics argue that these changes may be less about security and more about locking users into Bambu Lab's ecosystem by restricting third-party tools like OrcaSlicer.
The timing of this decision—amid growing competition in the 3D printing market—has led some to question whether the company is prioritizing user security or asserting greater control over its hardware and software.
While Bambu Lab emphasizes its commitment to improving security, many users feel alienated by the loss of flexibility and functionality that made their printers appealing in the first place.
Important update:
This tickles my funny bone just right. Bambus' new security firmware got pre-pwned, no kidding:
Maya Posch
I created last year already an article about the cloud mindset of Bambu Lab:
Extrawitz
Firmware Updates: Security Enhancements or Unnecessary Restrictions?
The new authorization system will be implemented through firmware and software updates, with beta versions available starting January 16th and official releases on January 23rd. The updates affect the X1 Series printers (firmware version 01.08.03.00 or above), Bambu Studio (version 01.10.02.64 or above), and Bambu Handy (version 2.17.0 or above). These updates introduce controls that require user authorization for critical operations, such as binding or unbinding printers, initiating remote video access, upgrading firmware, and starting print jobs via LAN or cloud.
Bambu Lab claims these measures are necessary to safeguard users against potential vulnerabilities, such as remote hacks or unauthorized access to printer functions.
While these intentions may seem noble, the changes come with significant trade-offs. For example, users who rely on third-party slicers like OrcaSlicer will find themselves unable to directly integrate with their printers unless they adopt Bambu Lab's proprietary Bambu Connect software.
This shift complicates workflows and raises questions about whether these restrictions are truly about security—or if they serve to lock users into Bambu Lab’s ecosystem.
For many users, the ability to use third-party tools has been a cornerstone of their 3D printing experience, offering flexibility and customization that proprietary systems often lack.
By introducing these restrictions, Bambu Lab risks alienating a segment of its user base that values openness and interoperability over tightly controlled ecosystems.
Critical Operations Now Under Lock and Key
With the new authorization system, Bambu Lab has placed several key printer functions behind a security wall, accessible only to authorized users. These include critical operations such as binding or unbinding printers, initiating remote video access, performing firmware upgrades, starting print jobs via LAN or cloud, and controlling essential systems like motion, temperature, fans, AMS settings, and calibrations.
While these measures are framed as necessary for enhancing security, they also significantly alter how users interact with their printers. Tasks that were once seamless and open are now subject to additional layers of control.
For advanced users and professionals managing multiple printers or using third-party tools for automation, this adds complexity and potential bottlenecks to their workflows.
On the flip side, Bambu Lab has clarified that some operations remain unaffected by the new authorization system. For instance, users can still send status information (e.g., MQTT status push for HomeAssistant), start print jobs via SD cards, or perform general non-critical tasks without authorization.
However, these exemptions do little to alleviate concerns from users who feel their freedom to fully utilize their printers is being curtailed. This shift raises a critical question: is this level of control truly necessary to improve security, or does it reflect a broader strategy to limit third-party integrations and lock users into Bambu Lab's ecosystem? For many in the 3D printing community, the answer to this question will determine whether they view these changes as a step forward or a step too far.
The Impact on Third-Party Tools: A Blow to Flexibility
One of the most controversial aspects of Bambu Lab's new authorization system is its impact on third-party tools, particularly slicers like OrcaSlicer. The firmware update disables the network plugin API that previously allowed seamless integration between third-party slicers and Bambu Lab printers.
Extrawitz
In its place, users are now required to use Bambu Lab's proprietary Bambu Connect software to transmit sliced files and initiate prints.
For OrcaSlicer users, this change is a significant setback. Previously, they could directly control their printers and enjoy features like live camera feeds and advanced printer settings. Now, they must export .3mf files from OrcaSlicer and manually upload them through Bambu Connect, adding unnecessary steps to their workflow. This complicates the printing process and limits the functionality that third-party slicers can offer.
Furthermore, users who rely on open-source tools or custom setups for automation—such as print farms or HomeAssistant integrations—are finding their workflows disrupted. The new system effectively locks out third-party software from accessing critical printer functions, leaving users with limited options for maintaining compatibility.
While Bambu Lab argues that these changes are necessary for security, many in the community see them as a move to enforce ecosystem lock-in. By restricting third-party access, the company risks alienating a segment of its user base that values flexibility and openness over proprietary control. For these users, the loss of integration with tools like OrcaSlicer represents not just an inconvenience, but a fundamental shift in how they approach 3D printing.
